4. Being able to have perspective on life—seeing the good and being able to deal with the bad

5. The ability to be humble and modest

“Wow! Yours are so deep compared to mine,” said Kai when I read mine aloud.

“Well I’ve had years to think about it,” I said. Pretty much the sum total of my parenting years in fact.

She laughed. “I knew you’d have the God piece. My friends all think you’re super religious and super cheap.” Apparently, one friend thinks it’s funny that I took them out for lunch because my Groupon was expiring that day. I like to think that’s frugal and generous at the same time.

Her list made me smile—I guess Scott and I preach about reading, friendship, perspective and compassion more regularly than grandiose visions of the good life—but it’s good to see that she’s absorbed something! I’ll take “believing a good book is better than television” any day!

What top 5 attributes would you like to see in your kids and grandkids?